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題名 Structure of numerals and numeral classifiers in Chinese: Historical and typological perspectives and cross-linguistic implications
作者 何萬順
Her, One-Soon
貢獻者 語言所
關鍵詞 measure word; classifier; multiplication; numerals; constituency; head-parameter
日期 2017
上傳時間 12-Jul-2017 15:02:22 (UTC+8)
摘要 It is controversial whether a classifier (C) or measure word (M) in Chinese forms a constituent first with Num (numeral) or N in a [Num C/M N] phrase. This paper reviews evidence for the [Num C/M] constituency from modern Chinese and then provides evidence from historical and typological perspectives. Under the [Num C/M] constituency, not only the C/M word orders attested in Chinese history, but also all those attested elsewhere, can be straightforwardly accounted for by the head parameter, while such simplicity is unattainable under the [C/M N] constituency. In addition, fresh evidence is obtained from the internal word order within a complex numeral; e.g. san-shi ‘30’ is base-final, with n (3) and base (10) entering into a multiplicative function, 3×10. The same multiplicative function exists between Num and C/M, e.g. san-duo hua ‘3 C flower’ = 3×1 flower, and san-da hua ‘3 dozen flower’ = 3×12 flower. C/M and bases are thus unified as multiplicands, an insight further supported by the consistent correlation between the base-final order and the C/M-final order throughout the history of Chinese. A closer examination of the 103 classifier languages in Greenberg (1990[1978]) further reveals that, among the 52 languages whose numeral systems and C/M word orders can be obtained, the synchronization between the numeral base and C/M is nearly universal. The base-C/M unification as multiplicands and base-C/M synchronization in word order strongly suggest that Num and C/M form a single constituent.
關聯 Language and Linguistics, 18(1), 26-71
資料類型 article
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1075/lali.18.1.02her
dc.contributor 語言所
dc.creator (作者) 何萬順zh-tw
dc.creator (作者) Her, One-Soonen-US
dc.date (日期) 2017
dc.date.accessioned 12-Jul-2017 15:02:22 (UTC+8)-
dc.date.available 12-Jul-2017 15:02:22 (UTC+8)-
dc.date.issued (上傳時間) 12-Jul-2017 15:02:22 (UTC+8)-
dc.identifier.uri (URI) http://nccur.lib.nccu.edu.tw/handle/140.119/111008-
dc.description.abstract (摘要) It is controversial whether a classifier (C) or measure word (M) in Chinese forms a constituent first with Num (numeral) or N in a [Num C/M N] phrase. This paper reviews evidence for the [Num C/M] constituency from modern Chinese and then provides evidence from historical and typological perspectives. Under the [Num C/M] constituency, not only the C/M word orders attested in Chinese history, but also all those attested elsewhere, can be straightforwardly accounted for by the head parameter, while such simplicity is unattainable under the [C/M N] constituency. In addition, fresh evidence is obtained from the internal word order within a complex numeral; e.g. san-shi ‘30’ is base-final, with n (3) and base (10) entering into a multiplicative function, 3×10. The same multiplicative function exists between Num and C/M, e.g. san-duo hua ‘3 C flower’ = 3×1 flower, and san-da hua ‘3 dozen flower’ = 3×12 flower. C/M and bases are thus unified as multiplicands, an insight further supported by the consistent correlation between the base-final order and the C/M-final order throughout the history of Chinese. A closer examination of the 103 classifier languages in Greenberg (1990[1978]) further reveals that, among the 52 languages whose numeral systems and C/M word orders can be obtained, the synchronization between the numeral base and C/M is nearly universal. The base-C/M unification as multiplicands and base-C/M synchronization in word order strongly suggest that Num and C/M form a single constituent.
dc.format.extent 2023810 bytes-
dc.format.mimetype application/pdf-
dc.relation (關聯) Language and Linguistics, 18(1), 26-71
dc.subject (關鍵詞) measure word; classifier; multiplication; numerals; constituency; head-parameter
dc.title (題名) Structure of numerals and numeral classifiers in Chinese: Historical and typological perspectives and cross-linguistic implications
dc.type (資料類型) article
dc.identifier.doi (DOI) 10.1075/lali.18.1.02her
dc.doi.uri (DOI) http://dx.doi.org/10.1075/lali.18.1.02her